“I beat a top 10 player and that is important for my confidence,” said Nadal, who is hoping to put to bed speculation that his career is on a downward spiral.

He has won 14 Grand Slam titles but none in the past 18 months.

“Tomorrow is another opportunity for me to play against another top player.”

The swashbuckling Spaniard is looking for another stamp in his championship passport, having already won Indian Wells in 2007, 2009 and 2013, while Djokovic is going for a record fifth crown.

“I feel I am strong mentally and I have the right energy,” Nadal said. “I am able to fight for every ball and I now believe in myself the whole match.”

Nadal had just two aces but he took care of his serve Friday by winning 62 percent of his first-serve points. He broke Nishikori four times.

He closed out the 93-minute match with a forehand down the line that Nishikori stumbled after but came nowhere near to getting a racquet on.

Nadal improved to 8-1 lifetime against Nishikori and avenged a loss in their most recent meeting last year at Montreal.

Nadal and Djokovic are nearly even in their 47 head-to-head meetings, with the Serb owning a 24-23 edge.
Nadal knows it is not wise to bet against Djokovic and if anyone else wins the Indian Wells title it would be a big surprise.

“He’s a clear favourite because he’s winning all the matches almost every time,” Nadal said of Djokovic.